The list of reasons Pope Francis stole the hearts of Filipinos is unending.
He looked at people like they weren’t strangers, each one worthy of a warm smile and a sincere prayer. If his mere presence had the power to renew lives, what more the words of wisdom that he spoke?
We have compiled memorable quotes from Pope Francis’ visit that connected to us, the youth. As the days and months roll along, these simple words will remind us to live with humility and kindness, just as the remarkable Pope Francis does.
“I have come to tell you that Jesus is Lord. And he never lets us down.”
“We have a Lord who is capable of crying with us, walking with us in the most difficult moments of life.”
‘Examine your conscience’
“When I saw from Rome the ‘Yolanda’ catastrophe, I felt that I had to be here. I am a little late. But I am here.”
“[To the people of Tacloban] I know you have lost much. In the silence of my heart, I am with you.”
“May hope never be robbed from us.”
“I recommend that at night when you go to sleep, examine your conscience and ask yourself: Today, did I dream about my son or daughter? Did I dream about the love for my wife or husband? Don’t lose the ability to dream in this way.”
“Rest is so necessary for the health of our minds and bodies, and often so difficult to achieve due to the many demands placed on us.”
“I want to encourage you to offer yourselves passionately to the great work of helping build a better world.”
“How many solutions are found to family problems if we take the time to reflect, if we think of a husband or wife and dream about the good qualities that they have? Don’t ever lose the illusion of when you were boyfriend and girlfriend!”
“Women have much to tell us. Women are capable of seeing things from a different angle with a different eye. Women are able to pose questions that men are unable to understand.”
“When we pose this question to us—why children suffer, why this or that tragedy occurs in life—our response must either be silence or a word that is born of our tears. Be courageous, don’t be afraid to cry.”
“Dear young boys and girls, today’s world doesn’t know how to cry.”
“There are certain realities we only see through eyes that are cleansed through tears.”
‘Learn how to love’
“We run the risk of becoming museums of young people who have so much information but not knowing what to do with it. We don’t need young museums; we need young holy people.”
“Use the language of the mind, the heart and your hands. You must think, feel and do harmoniously.”
“What is the most important subject you have to learn at university? What is the most important subject you have to learn in life? To learn how to love.”
“Real love is about loving and letting yourself be loved. It’s harder to let yourself be loved than to love. Real love is being open to the love that comes to you.”
“It is so difficult to come to the perfect love of God. It is important to let yourselves be loved by him.”
“Allow yourselves to be surprised by God. Don’t be afraid of surprises. They shake the ground beneath our feet and make us insecure, but they move us forward in the right direction.”
“Let us not think that we know it all.”
“Do you know that you, too, are poor? Do you feel with the poor? Then, do something for the poor.”
“Only by becoming poor ourselves, by stripping away our complacency, will we be able to identify with the least of our brothers and sisters.”
“Reality is superior to ideas.”
“It is now, more than ever, necessary that political leaders be outstanding for honesty, integrity and commitment to the common good.”
“Essential to the attainment of national goals is the moral imperative of ensuring social justice and respect for human dignity.”
“I cannot fail to mention the Philippines’ important role in fostering understanding and cooperation among the countries of Asia. It is precisely in the light of the rich cultural and religious heritage of which your country is proud that I leave you with a challenge and a word of prayerful encouragement.”
“During my visit to the Philippines, I wanted in a particular way to meet with young people—to listen to you and to talk with you. I want to express the love and the hopes of the Church for you.”
“We need to protect, guide and encourage our young people, helping them build a society worthy of their great spiritual and cultural heritage.”